Mt Albert – a friendly by-election

Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, January 23rd, 2017 - 61 comments
Categories: by-election, greens, labour - Tags: , , ,

Campaigning is underway in Mt Albert. Looks like it will be a very different kind of by election:

Labour and Greens gear up for Mt Albert by-election

The Mt Albert by-election campaign will be a chance for Labour and the Greens to show they can work together, says Labour’s candidate for the seat, Jacinda Ardern.
…
While National has decided not to put up a candidate, the Green Party’s transport spokesperson, Julie Anne Genter, will contest the seat.

Ms Ardern said she wasn’t disappointed by that decision.

She said the campaign would be a chance to show voters how the relationship between Labour and the Greens could work in future.

“We [Ms Genter and I] talked about the fact that we want to use this as an opportunity to model the kind of relationship we’ll have in government.

“There’ll be differences that people will see out on the campaign trail, but we’ll be focusing on our own policies, our own ideas, but also modelling a great relationship.”

All the best to both candidates.

61 comments on “Mt Albert – a friendly by-election ”

  • Comments are now closed

    • Carolyn_nth 1.1
      23 January 2017 at 9:36 am

      Bomber has had little to say that is good about the Greens for a long time.

      Still, he’s entitled to his opinion.

      Me, I will just wait and see how it plays out.

    • James 1.2
      23 January 2017 at 2:47 pm

      Which means its probably a good move for them.

    • Macro 1.3
      23 January 2017 at 7:16 pm

      Bomber has about as much political nous as a can of fish.
      “Moment of Truth”
      Internet-Mana
      etc.
      Not saying his heart is in the wrong place, or anything like that. Just that when it comes to political campaigns – he would be the last cab of the rank.

  2. Tamati Tautuhi 2
    23 January 2017 at 9:37 am

    National are obviously not very confident about their current situation at present and did not want another embarassment like Mt Roskill in Mt Albert

    • Enough is Enough 2.1
      23 January 2017 at 2:00 pm

      I think quite the opposite.

      They are very confident in the knowledge of the outcome so why waste resource on a campaign that they have absolutely no chance of winning?

      • Leftie 2.1.1
        25 January 2017 at 12:08 pm

        I reckon Tamati is right Enough is Enough. National is well funded, and didn’t National get more party votes in 2014? so why not put up a candidate? Judging by Northland and the Roskill by elections, could it be that National don’t have a good enough candidate to put up and so National doesn’t want to risk another resounding defeat in election year?

    • Leftie 2.2
      25 January 2017 at 12:03 pm

      Exactly right Tamati Tautuhi. Especially in election year.

  3. Nick 3
    23 January 2017 at 10:28 am

    They are both good candidates….

  4. Sacha 4
    23 January 2017 at 10:41 am

    I am really looking forward to seeing what an election campaign is like with two smart candidates cooperating rather than sniping.

  5. Carolyn_nth 5
    23 January 2017 at 10:57 am

    For what it’s worth, Russell Brown reviews the launch, praises a new cooler looking Little personal presentation, and respectfully disagrees with some other (unnamed) commentators:

    Certain other commentators have declared that the Greens’ decision to stand Julie Anne Genter in Mt Albert is a disaster. It really is not. It’s a perfect opportunity for both parties to show that they can engage in a respectful contest of ideas within an overall understanding of cooperation.

    It might have been otherwise with different candidates, but Ardern and Genter are grown-ups. They like each personally. They have things in common – while Ardern was speaking at the Women’s March in Auckland on Saturday, Genter was addressing its sister rally in Wellington. (They both also have informed perspectives on drug policy – the difference being that while Genter can actually talk about policy, Ardern is confined to wearily acknowledging that any reform is “not a priority” for her party this year.)

    Drug policy is a particular interest of Pt Chev resident, Brown.

  6. Sabine 6
    23 January 2017 at 11:02 am

    it is a smart move. Both Candidates are excellent, both have all the possibility to promote their parties and themselves and at the End of it, pretty much guaranteed one of them will win. 🙂

  7. Penny Bright 7
    23 January 2017 at 11:03 am

    Housing is a BIG Auckland issue.

    Where do current Labour and Green MPs Jacinda Adern and Julie Anne Genter stand, and what are they doing regarding this brave stand by a directly-affected ‘State’ tenant against the privatisation of State housing?

    Who is right now – refusing to be evicted?

    With significant public support?

    To date, I for one, have heard or seen nothing from either or their parties, regarding this matter?

    (Apologies if I have missed any press releases or the like).

    FYI

    ______________________________

    URGENT!

    I’ll be there.

    Who else can come and ‘sit’ in solidarity with Niki Rauti against the privatisation of State housing and ‘democracy for developer$’?

    SIT-IN OCCUPATION!

    Continuing to support brave Niki, making a stand against the privatisation of State housing for private property developer$.

    KIA KAHA Niki!

    WITHDRAW NIKI’S EVICTION NOTICE!

    WHEN: Tuesday 25 January 2017.
    TIME: From 9am.
    WHERE: 14 Taniwha St, Glen Innes.

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-privatisation / anti-corruption campaigner’.

    2017 Independent candidate
    Mt Albert by-election.

    • Bob 7.1
      23 January 2017 at 2:06 pm

      “Who is right now – refusing to be evicted?”
      You probably shouldn’t be reminding people that they are having to pay extra rates to cover your refusal to take part in our democratic society, Penny. Not a great vote winner.

    • Nick 7.2
      23 January 2017 at 2:48 pm

      Tuesday 24th January or Wednesday 25th January ??

  8. Ad 8
    23 January 2017 at 11:44 am

    Looking forward to having them both in government, working together in coalition.

  9. Tamati Tautuhi 9
    23 January 2017 at 2:02 pm

    Good way to promote their profiles and policies for the 2017 Election

  10. swordfish 10
    23 January 2017 at 2:55 pm

    Having made an initial comment on the matter here on The Standard back in late December, I’ve been developing a post for my Blog with the working title: Mt Albert Mousetrap (critiquing the Greens decision to stand in Mt Albert and highlighting the potential implications)

    But unfortunately most (though not quite all) of my argument has been anticipated by Chris Trotter and Bomber Bradbury over the last few days. (see Paul’s links above) … although they’ve taken a more alarmist position than I was planning.

    So, instead of finishing the post, I’ll just set out a rough idea of my argument here. (in 2 separate comments)

    ___________________________________________________________________

    Starts from the premise that – having largely avoided critical media scrutiny of their almost unprecedented decision to wait out the up-coming Mt Albert By-Election – National now finds itself in a potentially advantageous position.

    Although nothing’s cast in stone, the Greens decision to stand a candidate (current List MP, Julie Anne Genter), provides National strategists with the perfect opportunity to consolidate their negative framing of the Opposition parties’ potential to form a stable and cohesive future Government.

    Hence, while I can understand the basis for the Greens decision (Mt Albert is, after all, one of their Party-Vote strongholds), in aiming to win a relatively inconsequential battle for their own Party, they may be in danger of losing the War for the wider Left.

    Why ?. Let’s start with the broader context:

    National’s long-term framing involves an interplay of closely related assertions:

    (1) The Opposition parties are hopelessly divided (as successfully portrayed by National at the last Election). The MOU was, of course, in part designed to undermine that strategy.

    (2) Despite this bitter in-fighting between Opposition parties, Labour – given its poor polling – will need both the Greens and NZF in any future Left-leaning Government.

    (3) Indeed, the Greens have every chance of overtaking Labour in Party-Vote support at the next General Election, thus superseding the latter as the major Party in any Government of the Centre-Left. (see Farrar’s frequent attempts to seize on any evidence – no matter how tenuous – to suggest this highly unlikely event)

    (4) The Greens are “extremist”, naĂŻve and “toxic” to the average voter.

    (5) Despite the fact that Labour and the Greens will need NZF to form a Government, Winston Peters has categorically ruled out working with this “extremist” Green Party in any future governing arrangement.

    Put it all together and you have National and its highly influential on-line propagandists painting a vivid picture of chaos, dissension and stalemate.

    (Sidenote: Which isn’t to deny a certain degree of discontinuity, incoherence and contradiction in some of National’s framing. (they’d probably call it “flexibility”). Read back through Kiwiblog, for instance, and you’ll notice that, just occasionally, Farrar departs from the broadly defined script, offering tantalising glimpses of the kind of alternative narratives they might choose if circumstances dictate ………. In the immediate wake of the MOU, for instance, Farrar briefly downplayed the divisions meme and replaced it with an emphasis on the Greens capturing Labour and moving it to the extremist Left ………. or, during debates over whether or not the Greens were moving in a National-friendly direction (for example, after Shaw’s leadership victory), Farrar has fleetingly toyed with the idea of dropping the Greens are Nutters meme and instead emphasising their rationality, comparing Genter, for instance, more than favourably with Labour’s Robertson or highlighting the new Blue-Green CDU-Green State Govt in Baden-WĂŒrttemberg ………. At the moment, though, the interplay of propositions enumerated above constitute the dominant narrative)

    Implications

    (1) During the Campaign

    The absence of a National candidate, a media craving conflict and the basic logic of electoral competition will almost inevitably shine a spotlight on intra-Left division as Labour and the Greens go head to head.

    In a high stakes competition – Labour’s election year momentum, Ardern’s career, the cohesion of an alternative Left Government, possibly even Little’s career – it seems more likely than not that – no matter how determined they are to remain co-operative, respectful and collegial – the stark realities of electoral combat between Labour and Greens will be impossible to disguise, perhaps even glaring.

    Like I say – nothing’s cast in stone – but it’s at least potentially easy, then, for National, its on-line propagandists and, ultimately, the MSM to consolidate the picture of chaos and dissension in any future Labour-led Government.

    (2) After the Result

    I’ll set out in my second comment the rationale for believing that the Greens have the potential to slash – or at least make fairly significant inroads into – Labour’s majority.

    But, for the moment, let’s assume that that’s precisely what happens – Genter slashes the Labour majority from 10,000 to, say, 2000 (even taking into account the anticipated much lower turnout, this would still be portrayed as a poor performance for Labour)

    Most obviously, Labour would be crucified in the mainstream media. Portrayed as deeply unpopular – hence a lost cause / “the phone’s off the hook” – in the run-up to the Election. Something along the lines of : Labour’s majority slashed in third safest seat !!! Clearly voters are rejecting them in Election year. (Farrar has already loudly proclaimed Mt Albert as one of “Labour’s” safest (in reality, it’s a Shearer stronghold, not a Labour one. Labour received just 29% of the Party-Vote at the last Election, placing it just slightly above average. In other words … It’s only their 3rd safest seat in terms of the Candidate Vote).

    Rising star, Ardern, takes a career-hit.

    Little comes under intense pressure.

    Also handily plays into the meme that the “extremist” Greens might well supersede Labour as the most popular Party of the Left.

    And that we all know what Winston would think of that – hence a Govt composed of the current Opposition parties would be utterly chaotic, if not outright impossible !

    _________________________________________________________________________________

    Nothing’s inevitable, of course. And I don’t want to sound too negative here. Maybe the two parties of the Left will, indeed, manage to pull off something of a Public Relations coup and it’ll all go swimmingly – but it does seem like a pointless risk to be taking in Election year. Potentially, at least, a remarkable own goal. The Greens really needed to consider the wider game.

    (If I have time today, I’ll post a second comment setting out why the Greens have the potential to slash Labour’s majority. If not, I’ll post it tomorrow. Luckily for me, Chris and Bomber haven’t entirely anticipated my argument, so I have one or two critical things to say about the strategic voting dynamics involved. And, while I agree with a good deal of their argumentation, I think they’re being a bit too alarmist over the possibility of Genter actually winning. I don’t believe that’s likely at all).

    • Ad 10.1
      23 January 2017 at 5:23 pm

      Would any of the small remaining undecided voters give a damn if the Greens really did leap 17 points and overtake Labour as preferred party? No.

      Is there a pikelet’s chance in Ophir that Jacinda Ardern will lose? No.

      Even worse, if it really did happen, like Northland’s by-election, nothing would happen. The MSM and the rest of the political planet swallowed well, and kept going.

      • swordfish 10.1.1
        23 January 2017 at 6:19 pm

        “Would any of the small remaining undecided voters give a damn if the Greens really did leap 17 points and overtake Labour as preferred party? No.”

        Bizarre thing to say. (1) We have no idea of the consequences of any Nat scare campaign (and I’m talking about one that flows from a putative Mt Albert By-Election result where Genter slashes Labour’s majority – not from some outrageously unlikely leap in the polls for the Greens, (2) Why “small” ??? The 2014 NZES figures suggest just 35% of all voters (and 40% of Nats) had made their voting decision before Election year.

        “Is there a pikelet’s chance in Ophir that Jacinda Ardern will lose? No.”

        Hence, my last sentence (immediately above your comment): “I think they’re being a bit too alarmist over the possibility of Genter actually winning. I don’t believe that’s likely at all”. Weren’t wearing your prescription specs ?

        More importantly, you utterly miss the point.

        (1) Media emphasising division between Labour and the Greens – thus playing into National’s long-term framing (unless the parties of the Left play things remarkably well)

        (2) Reasonable possibility of Genter slashing Labour majority = Labour’s General Election chances written off by mainstream media / at the very least – serious loss of momentum.

        (3) All of it an unnecessary risk

        • Ad 10.1.1.1
          23 January 2017 at 6:58 pm

          We would have seen any ‘scare campaign’ by now. English has made it clear it’s a nothing. The people that have made up their minds who to vote for have been tracking pretty consistently in the polls for quite a while now – looks like most of them.

          If a “long term framing” was going to work as you say, we would have seen it working already. The reverse is true. The Labour-Greens compact is settled and the great freakout didn’t occur. Perfectly understandable if you’ve forgotten what success feels like. Many have.

          Of course it’s poor management by Shearer to leave before April – unlike Cunliffe who deliberately held off in New Lynn to precisely avoid this kind of dumb by-election. But then, what you see as risk, clearly Genter and Ardern view as opportunity. Which is sensible.

          But anyway, you don’t want to sound alarmist. Or negative. Or something.

          • In Vino 10.1.1.1.1
            23 January 2017 at 7:17 pm

            Not convincing, Ad. It will be some time before we see reactions from Blinglish and others – they will become evident only as they get revealed during the campaign.

            • Ad 10.1.1.1.1.1
              23 January 2017 at 8:27 pm

              Really?

              The Mt Albert campaign’s already started, and English is very clear he doesn’t give a shit. He gives a shit so little he’s not standing a candidate. He’s already at Ratana, doing the warm up for Waitangi Day his way.

              Bill English doesn’t give a monkey’s about Labour, and on current polling doesn’t need to.

              As for the Greens sweeping all before them or swathing through Labour’s sward, well I present to you Julie Ann Genter. She has had zero traction in the public over nine years, apart from a little nerd-watch about the B/C ratios of Puhoi-Wellsford motorway. Which is now under construction. Genter is the Green MP who makes Ardern look like Beowulf’s dragon, which in Ardern’s non-record of parliamentary hits really is saying something.

              Mt Albert is going to be even less memorable to the public, the media, or the National Party, than Mt Roskill.

              But just as good for the Labour and Green activist bases, coming to election year.

    • james 10.2
      23 January 2017 at 8:09 pm

      That was a really interesting post – thank you.

  11. Penny Bright 11
    23 January 2017 at 3:11 pm

    Have Jacinda and Julie Anne been approached by senior members of Grey Power, deeply concerned about the entrenched corruption and lack of transparency in public spending on private consultants and contractors that’s been exposed in the ‘Reasons for the Verdict of Fitzgerald J’?

    I have.

    There are a LOT of conservative voters who want to know where public monies are being spent.

    So – who are they most likely to vote for?

    We shall see…..

    🙂

    Penny Bright

    2017 Independent candidate
    Mt Albert by-election.

  12. Brendon 12
    23 January 2017 at 7:14 pm

    I think Julie Anne and Jacinda did well in this 20min joint interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EHJypH5Dg

    They focused on the issues of the day -infrastructure, transport, childhood poverty and housing. Giving us a good look at what a Labour/Green government would look like. Both were impressive -being intelligent, articulate and caring.

    At the moment I see more opportunity than danger. But clearly as people have noted above there are risks.

  13. roy cartland 13
    23 January 2017 at 7:20 pm

    I’m into this. Finally. Can someone (other than Bradbury) explain what is so wrong with a contest of ideas from parties one agrees with?? Isn’t that BETTER than a Nat vs Lab???

    Good for voters in Mt Albert, they get to vote for the better of two great choices, rather than have to “tactically” vote for the least-abominable. Trotter, Bradbury and Minto notwithstanding, this is the kind of by I wish I could vote in.

  14. millsy 14
    23 January 2017 at 8:09 pm

    What’s the point of standing 2 sitting MP’s? They are already in Parliament. Why vote for someone you already have?

  15. Muttonbird 15
    23 January 2017 at 8:38 pm

    This is a fantastic opportunity to show how a future Labour/Green government could work.

    Ardern and Genter should do their public engagements together as a united front, take questions, etc. I think it would work very well in the eyes of the Mt. Albert voter despite the desperate rantings of Farrar and Bradbury.

  16. Tamati Tautuhi 16
    23 January 2017 at 8:45 pm

    Good opportunity for the Greens and Labour to promote a joint platform and show NZ how mature politicans and parties are going to work for the good of the country.

    We the average New Zealander want a fair and equitable society.

  17. The Real Matthew 17
    24 January 2017 at 4:33 pm

    Campaigning is underway, really? I’ve seen a bit of material from Labour’s campaigning but not one iota from the Greens.

    Can someone point me in the direction of Green Party campaigning thus far?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1
      3 February 2017 at 6:47 pm

      Ideally, everything they (and especially their parliamentary candidates) do is a signpost. Can you trust them? Do they have clear values? Are they open to being wrong?

      So yes, I can point you to lots and lots of Green Party campaigning. Expensive Crosby Textor focus-grouped adverts political messages lies, not so much.

  18. Wayne 18
    3 February 2017 at 4:29 pm

    There are a number of independent candidates who I’m sure will represent the people of Mt Albert first rather than second to their party affiliations.

    I would love to see a law passed that would require electorate representatives to be independent of political parties and actually represent their electorate, not a party hack in a safe seat. Surely this is the next step in an MMP system?

    [Hi Wayne, we already have a Wayne commenting here regularly. To avoid confusion can you please change your username to something a bit different e.g. Wayne with another letter or number after it would be fine. Thanks – weka]

    • weka 18.1
      3 February 2017 at 6:14 pm

      “I would love to see a law passed that would require electorate representatives to be independent of political parties and actually represent their electorate, not a party hack in a safe seat. Surely this is the next step in an MMP system?”

      That’s a really interesting idea. How would you see formation of government happening? Independents declaring pre-election which party they would support on confidence and supply?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 18.2
      3 February 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Ban political parties altogether. Unfortunately the rights of freedom of association and assembly take precedence.

      That being so, political party affiliation performs a useful function: it reduces the level of camouflage.

      • Draco T Bastard 18.2.1
        3 February 2017 at 7:02 pm

        That being so, political party affiliation performs a useful function: it reduces the level of camouflage.

        Really? So, which party should Shane Jones have been in?

        Being in a party can obfuscate people real agenda.

        That said, what a political party does is have consistent policies that reduces the number of policies that people have remember thus reducing costs of Representative Democracy to the populace in general.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 18.2.1.1
          3 February 2017 at 7:06 pm

          It reduces the level of camouflage, not removes it altogether. The meaning of words is a thing, no?

          You want examples? Shane Jones is one, so are Quin (sp? can’t be bothered checking), Pagani, and Loo. Their personal agendas are far clearer against the “Labour” background they inhabit.

          • Draco T Bastard 18.2.1.1.1
            3 February 2017 at 11:28 pm

            It reduces the level of camouflage, not removes it altogether. The meaning of words is a thing, no?

            But it doesn’t reduce it – that was my point.

            How long was Shane Jones in Labour before it was obvious that he really should be in National?

            Being in a party increases the camouflage.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 18.2.1.1.1.1
              4 February 2017 at 8:53 am

              You think it’s easier to compare one individual with 119 other individuals than it is to compare them with relatively well defined groups within the whole?

              Ok then.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                4 February 2017 at 10:12 am

                No, that’s not what I’m saying.

                I’m saying that it’s possible for a person to hide within a group saying that he has that groups principles when he doesn’t and it’s harder to pick that out.

                With actual independent MPs they wouldn’t need to hide their principles as it won’t get them kicked out of the group.

    • Carolyn_nth 18.3
      3 February 2017 at 6:39 pm

      Now, under MMP, the electorate MPs, and their vote count, are included in the overall results for the overall representation of list MPs – and that’s related to the party votes.

      I’m happy with both electorate MPs standing for parties, and List MPs from the party vote.

      The party vote determines the number of MPs from each party. The electorate MPs are included in that number. So if the party vote determines a party has 24 MPs, and that party has 6 electorate MPs, the party gets 18 list MPs. (24-6).

      Not keen on party hacks continuing in a safe seat, but it’s up to the party to move those hacks on. You can protest by not giving them your party vote.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    17 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    23 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet


    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te PokapĆ« Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kƍrero, he kƍrero, he kƍrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kƍrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatƫ rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. â€œFor too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-26T23:39:15+00:00